Senior Technical Project ManagerOur client is a growing advanced aerospace automation and manufacturing technology company seeking a Senior Technical Project Manager to lead complex technical programs from concept through delivery. This is an opportunity for a seasoned project leader who understands the realities of building custom, high-precision equipment for aerospace production environments, where mechanical systems, controls, software, manufacturing, suppliers, and customer expectations must be carefully coordinated. This role is ideal for someone who has managed complex engineered systems, not just project timelines.
The right person will bring the technical credibility to earn trust with engineering teams, the business sense to protect scope and budget, and the communication skill to guide customers and internal teams through ambiguity.Defined as the Senior Technical Project Manager, you will own delivery of complex aerospace automation and tooling programs. You will manage scope, schedule, budget, risks, customer communication, and cross-functional coordination across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, vendors, and customer stakeholders. You will help translate customer commitments into clear, executable deliverables, keep teams aligned on scope and expectations, and ensure the company delivers high-quality systems with strong commercial discipline, practical execution, and clear accountability.Why This Role is Essential Our client is expanding its work across aerospace and advanced manufacturing markets, with increasingly complex custom equipment programs.
This role adds the senior project leadership needed to translate deep technical capability into clear scope, practical delivery plans, and commercially sound execution. The right person will help align engineering, program, and customer-facing teams around shared commitments and successful outcomes.Background Great candidates may come from:Aerospace tooling or automation companiesRobotics or factory automation environmentsCustom machinery or capital equipment manufacturersAdvanced manufacturing companies building low-volume, high-precision systemsSpace, defense, commercial aerospace, or industrial automation programsTechnical program management roles involving mechanical, controls, software, and hardware integrationThis role is especially well suited for someone who began their career in engineering, systems integration, controls, mechanical design, manufacturing engineering, or project engineering before moving into technical project or program leadership.What You'll DoLead complex technical programs from requirements definition through design, build, integration, deployment, and customer acceptanceOwn project scope, schedule, budget, risk, and technical coordinationTrack program financials, forecasts, supplier deliverables, and long-lead items to support on-time, on-budget executionCoordinate cross-functional teams across mechanical engineering, controls, software, systems, manufacturing, supply chain, and external partnersTranslate customer needs into clear technical scope, deliverables, assumptions, and execution plansManage customer expectations, scope changes, commercial impacts, and program risksBuild and maintain project schedules, resource plans, status reports, and risk registersChallenge timelines, assumptions, and technical estimates when needed while preserving trust with engineering teamsSupport design reviews, readiness reviews, integration planning, installation, commissioning, and production ramp-upHelp prevent over-scoping, over-engineering, and unpaid expansion of customer workPartner with commercial and engineering teams on proposal scoping, cost estimates, and new project planningCreate clear, consistent communication across customers, engineering teams, manufacturing, suppliers, and leadershipSkills and Competencies RequiredBachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Industrial Engineering, or related field, with MS preferred7+ years of experience managing complex technical programs involving hardware, software, controls, robotics, automation, tooling, capital equipment, or advanced manufacturing systemsExperience in aerospace manufacturing, aerospace tooling, automation, robotics, custom machinery, or similarly complex engineered systemsStrong technical credibility with engineering and manufacturing teamsWorking knowledge of mechanical systems, controls, PLCs, robotics, electrical systems, software integration, or automated production equipmentExperience managing project scope, schedules, budgets, change requests, technical risks, and customer deliverablesAbility to lead cross-functional teams without formal authorityStrong customer-facing communication and stakeholder management skillsAbility to push back professionally on scope, schedule, and technical estimatesComfort working in a mostly waterfall project environment with some hybrid or Agile practices depending on the teamExperience with project management tools such as Microsoft Project, Jira, Smartsheet, Primavera, or similar systemsAbility to work onsite in the Greater Seattle areaCandidates must be able to meet applicable export-control eligibility requirementsDesiredExperience with aerospace production systems or aerospace OEM/Tier 1 environmentsBackground in robotic drilling, fastening, inspection, assembly automation, precision tooling, or factory automationExperience managing multimillion-dollar technical programsPMP or equivalent program management trainingExperience with installation, commissioning, factory acceptance, site acceptance, or production readinessExperience using CAD tools for design review and technical discussionsSupplier management and long-lead equipment coordination experienceExperience in low-volume, high-precision, custom-engineered equipment environmentsWhat's In It for YouCompetitive compensation including salary of $170K to $190KHigh-visibility role with direct influence on complex technical programsOpportunity to work on advanced aerospace automation and manufacturing systemsStrong technical environment where credibility and practical execution matterChance to help shape project delivery discipline during a period of growthExposure to customers, engineering leadership, manufacturing, suppliers, and executive stakeholdersComprehensive benefits packageRelocation may be considered for the right candidate30% domestic and international travel